Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog
Picking up the phone to hear that a child has been involved in any kind of accident at school is a parent’s worst nightmare. Teachers and school administrators are charged with keeping students safe and, for the most part, do a pretty good job. However, getting children to and from school is beyond the control of administrators and rests with bus drivers who are often contracted out by the school district.
Liability in School Bus Accidents
Determining liability in a Maryland school bus accident, like any other traffic accident, requires an analysis of all potentially liable parties. Of course, when the accident involves other vehicles, the drivers of those vehicles would be considered, as well as the driver of the bus. However, there are often other third parties that should be considered as defendants.
School bus drivers may be government employees that are hired and trained by the school district. If this is the case, then the local government is responsible for making sure that drivers are qualified before they are hired. Similarly, a driver must also be provided with adequate training and oversight. An accident caused by a negligent bus driver who is employed by the school district could result in the district being held liable under the doctrine of respondeat superior. Importantly, a school bus accident claim filed against a school district or other government entity must comply with the requirements for complaints filed against a government entity.
Not all bus drivers, however, are school district employees. Some school districts contract out the job of transporting students to a third-party transportation company. In this situation, the school district will likely be insulated from liability. However, the transportation company that hired and trained a driver may assume responsibility for a driver’s negligent actions, depending on the circumstances.
Bus Accident Seriously Injures One Student
Earlier this month, one student was seriously injured in what appears to be a weather-related school bus accident. According to a local news report, the accident occurred as the bus was transporting seven children to school. Evidently, the bus veered off the road for an unknown reason, hit an embankment, and then rolled onto its side.
One student was seriously injured as a result of the accident. Emergency responders initially wanted to airlift the student to the nearest hospital; however, adverse weather conditions required that the student was transported by ambulance instead. The student has since been released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
Has Your Child Been Injured in a School Bus Accident?
If your child has recently been injured in a Maryland school bus accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation through a Maryland personal injury lawsuit. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, as well as the employment status of the bus driver, there may be multiple parties who are liable to you and your child. To learn more, and to speak with a dedicated Maryland personal injury attorney about your case, call 410-654-3600 to schedule a free consultation today.
More Blog Posts:
The Dangers of Driving in Maryland Construction Zones, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published November 12, 2018.
Court Rejects Truck Accident Victim’s Claim That Power Company Provided Inadequate Lighting, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published November 5, 2018.